Write to your legislator
It's important for legislators to hear from their own constituents. One of the best ways you can reach them is to write a short, handwritten note to let them know that you support the ending the death penalty in Illinois.
To find out who your state legislators are, please go to the Illinois State Board of Elections website and enter your address in the search box.
LETTER WRITING TIPS
• Always mention you are a constituent – it’s their job to represent your views!
• You can write two letters – one for your state Representative and one for your state Senator.
• If you aren’t certain who your legislators are, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections to find out.
• Don’t forget to sign your name, print your name, and include your complete address.
• There are lots of reasons why Illinois will be better off without the death penalty – below are some ideas you could mention in your letter. Mention one or two that are important to you.
REASONS TO REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY
The time for repeal is now. It’s become clear in 10 years of a moratorium that the death penalty system is still broken and it can not be fixed. The death penalty is a public policy that risks executing the innocent, fails to meet the needs of murder victims’ families, and costs millions of dollars more than alternatives.
We Make Mistakes. There have been 20 men exonerated from Illinois’ death row after evidence of their innocence emerged. This is the second highest exoneration rate in the nation. It is clear we can not guarantee that our death penalty system will not make a fatal mistake and take an innocent life.
Too Expensive. Since it’s creation in 1999, we’ve spent well over $100 million dollars on the Capital Litigation Trust Fund. We can’t afford to spend millions on the death penalty when other vital services are being cut.
Ignoring the Needs of Murder Victims’ Families. While victims’ services in Illinois are underfunded, which hurts all murder victims, we spend millions of dollars on a death penalty system that affects less than 1% of murders. Those victims’ families that have capital cases endure excessively long and publicized trials then are forced to wait for years and years for an execution – if one comes at all.
Doesn’t Stop Crime! In a 2009 National survey, police chiefs ranked the death penalty dead last in terms of effective tools to prevent violent crime. Study after study shows the death penalty does not deter crime. If we’re serious about stopping crime, we should invest in tools that work – the death penalty doesn’t.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear State Representative/Senator:
I am a constituent and I urge you to repeal the death penalty.
I am opposed to the death penalty because…. Reason One…. Reason Two.
Thank you for taking this common sense step toward a more just Illinois.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Printed Name
Your Complete Address
